The 2012-13 version of the Huskies was more of a lunch-bucket group, talented to be sure, but hard workers without one, experienced superstar to lead the way.

And the season, though replete with resounding victories, was stymied by the presence of Baylor University and, most frustrating of all, the University of Notre Dame, which came out on top against the Huskies three times, both in the regular season and in the Big East tournament.

So it is all the more impressive how Coach Auriemma and the players didn't fold and, in fact, figured out how to raise their games to championship level despite some downhearted moments.

Kelly Faris, who's now played her last game at UConn, was the glue that held this group together.

Breanna Stewart, the highly touted freshman, showed not only her skills, but her heart and grit, particularly in the last two games of the tournament. Fans will be salivating through the off-season waiting to watch her development. That she could simply step in and fill much of the void left by an injured, though still valiantly playing, Stefanie Dolson was one of the most remarkable aspects to the win.

There are so many morals to take away from this year's story, none perhaps more important than filling the lunch bucket every day, giving it all you've got and knowing you can't -- and don't have to -- do it alone.

Thumbs up to the Derby-based Turn the Tide Foundation, which promotes healthy eating through viral videos. The foundation is in the process of creating a series of public service announcements, targeting middle-school-aged children. The videos feature singing and dancing, as well as educational information about processed junk food and healthy eating. Dr. David Katz, director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, is spearheading the initiative with the help of his kids, who act, sing and dance in the videos. Katz's goal is to create a library of videos that can be used in the classroom to educate students. Local school districts in the lower Naugatuck Valley have already expressed interest in the project, and the videos can be viewed at http://turnthetidefoundation.org/unjunkyourself.htm.

Thumbs down to whoever started the fire in Osbornedale State Park last week, which spread over 10 acres and took emergency personnel from four different local towns to stop. The fire is thought to be linked to a series of small fires that were intentionally set in neighboring towns last year. Connecticut is in the middle of spring fire season, which runs from mid-March to mid-May. High winds and dryness cause fires to spread easily during this season, and for this reason the fire was classified at a high danger level. Luckily there were no injuries or property damages.